How to plan a trip to England?

England is a fascinating destination that offers great history, culture and a variety of stunning natural landscapes. There is so much to see in the country, so if you don’t want to miss out on anything, we encourage you to plan your trip to England ahead of time and follow the travel tips we’ve prepared for you in this post.

After numerous trips to the UK, we’re real experts at navigating our way around its cities and sights. That’s why we have prepared this article where we tell you all those tips that will help you plan your visit. Read on to find out about transport, accommodation, food and many other key aspects of organisation. Are you ready to get started and let’s get started!

1. Prepare your travel documents for England

To travel to England from another EU country you will only need your passport as, after Brexit, your ID card is no longer valid to enter the UK. You will be able to stay in the country for up to 180 days, but remember that your passport must be in order.

In addition to EU countries, there are other countries that are exempt from applying for a visa, such as several Commonwealth countries, and others such as Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the United States, and Uruguay.

All other countries must apply for a tourist visa through their country’s embassy or online. It is valid for 180 days and must be applied for at least 3 months in advance. It costs £115. The application process includes completing an online application form, submitting specific documents such as a valid passport, financial proof, accommodation or a letter of invitation, travel itinerary and travel insurance.

Although the European Health Insurance Card still works after Brexit, cover may be limited, so it is often recommended that you take out additional travel insurance. And if you plan to drive in the UK, you should know that your European driving licence is still valid, so you should be able to use it.

When you travel you should always be well documented, and it is often recommended that you carry a copy of your documents with you just in case. We carry a copy of our travel documents on the Passporter App just in case we need it and to keep it handy at all times.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to England

Although the best time to travel to England depends a lot on the places you’re going to visit, in general it’s recommended to travel during spring and autumn. These seasons offer mild weather, more affordable prices and fewer tourists compared to the summer, making for a more pleasant stay. Other advantages include the possibility of enjoying the parks and gardens in full bloom in spring or admiring the autumn colours of the countryside. However, bear in mind that the sun won’t always be shining and you’d better always have your umbrella with you.

If you’re travelling to London or other major cities across the country, you’ll certainly be able to visit at any time of year, as there’s plenty of cultural options on offer. However, if you prefer to see the countryside or tour Scotland, it’s best to wait until the warmer months.

3. Find out how to get to England

If you’re planning a trip to England, you’ll find thatthe main cities are well connected and getting around is easy, thanks to the wide variety of options available. On our many trips to the island we’ve had the opportunity to try out a number of options. These are our conclusions:

Transport in England

• Car or caravan: is a great option if you plan to tour England. You can hire a car on arrival at the airport or drive your own car across the Eurotunnel. The price ranges from €30 to €100 and crossing the tunnel will only take you 35 minutes, with a further 3 hours to get to London. European citizens can drive with their own car licence, but citizens of other countries should check whether they need to apply for an international driving licence.
• Train: The Eurostar train connects London with several European cities, such as Paris and Brussels, directly to St Pancras International station. Depending on where you’re travelling from, the price can vary, but expect it to cost upwards of €100. The good news is, they’re high-speed trains. It takes just 2 hours to get from Paris to London. Once in London you can move on to the rest of the cities. It’s a really convenient way to travel around the country.
• Bus: Companies such as National Express and Megabus offer services from different parts of the UK and some European cities at competitive prices. It’s a cheap option, but also the slowest.
• Flight: It’s definitely the fastest and most convenient option. The country has more than 40 domestic and international airports that receive flights from all over the world. From Europe you can find really cheap flights with low cost airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet, although many others such as British Airways also offer frequent flights. The country’s main international airports are Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport and Manchester Airport. And remember, with the Passporter App you can compare and purchase your tickets directly through Skyscanner.

Cities have an extensive public transport network including bus, tram and metro, with tickets costing between 1.5GBP and 2.40GBP. In many cities you can also hire bicycles for exploring and take taxis.

4. Find accommodation that meets your expectations to enjoy England

England has a wide variety of destinations and landscapes as varied as the accommodation options available. We travelled around the country and stayed in hotels, flats, cottages and even the top floor of a pub. And the only thing they had in common was the carpet.

Each type of accommodation offers advantages that are more or less suited to the type of trip you’re making. For example, houses or flats in the suburbs are cheaper and give you more flexibility when it comes to cooking. However, if you prefer to stay in the middle of the city, you can opt for hotels, inns or hostels.

Whatever your preferences, you’re sure to find the perfect option. Our advice is to look in advance, especially if you’re travelling in summer, which is the high season. With the Passporter App you can start comparing through Booking today. As well as making your bookings, you can save them in an organised way in the app.

Another trick to saving on accommodation is to stay away from city centres. Most cities, such as Manchester, Liverpool and London, have a very efficient urban transport network that will get you to the city centre in no time.

5. Choose the activities you want to do in England

Exploring England in its entirety can take several weeks given its rich history, culture and varied landscapes. Unless you have several weeks to spare, we recommend that you organise your trips around the areas you want to visit to avoid spending many hours travelling and missing out on sights.

In this post you can read about the main points of interest in England: Things to do in England. And here’s a sneak preview.

Places to visit in England

1. London: the capital of the United Kingdom is a true cultural melting pot, known for its iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace. It offers an unparalleled mix of history, art, fashion and gastronomy. We tell you all about it in this post: Things to do in London England
2. Liverpool: famous for its rich musical and sporting heritage, Liverpool is home to the Beatles and two major football clubs. The city is also noted for its stunning architecture and world-class museums. Read more here: Things to do in Liverpool
3. Manchester: Known as the capital of northern England, Manchester is famous for its music scene, vibrant nightlife and its important role in the country’s industrial history. More information: Things to do in Manchester England
4. Bristol: This city in southwest England is famous for its innovative Clifton Suspension Bridge, thriving arts scene and maritime history. Read more about the city in this post: Things to do in Bristol
5. Oxford: world famous for its prestigious university, Oxford is a city of stunning architectural beauty, with historic buildings and a vibrant academic atmosphere.
6. Cambridge: like Oxford, it is renowned for its university and offers a charming setting with its ancient colleges, museums and the River Cam, ideal for boating. We tell you about it in this post: Things to do in Cambridge
7. Birmingham: the UK’s second largest city, Birmingham offers a mix of industrial culture, a growing arts scene and a remarkably diverse food scene. Find out more about the city in this post: Things to do in Birmingham
8. Edinburgh: Scotland’s capital is famous for its impressive Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the cityscape from its perch on Castle Rock, as well as its rich history, gothic architecture and famous Edinburgh Festival. Things to do in Edinburgh

6. Where and what to eat in England?

English cuisine is characterised by its simplicity and use of fresh, local ingredients. Traditionally, British dishes emphasise meat and fish, accompanied by vegetables and robust sauces.

You’ll find that there’s not a great deal of variety in British cuisine, but in the big cities you’ll find plenty of choice in both local and international cuisine. As always, though, we recommend you take the plunge and eat in the pubs, where you can accompany your meal with a delicious pint of beer.

Top 5 British dishes:

• Fish and Chips: fried fish and chips with potatoes, accompanied by vinegar or pea puree.
• Roast Beef: roast beef served with horseradish sauce and roasted vegetables.
• Full English Breakfast: full breakfast with eggs, sausage, bacon, tomatoes, beans and black bread.
• Pie and Mash: meat pie with mashed potatoes, often served with green parsley gravy.
• Shepherd’s Pie: minced lamb pie topped with mashed potatoes and au gratin.

And as you may know, tea is an institution in England. The custom of afternoon tea, which includes a selection of teas accompanied by sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and other cakes, is a tradition that has endured over the years and reflects the importance of tea in English culture.

7. Organise a trip with friends to England

Exploring England with a group of friends can be a unique and exciting experience where you can discover new landscapes and historic cities with the best company. Imagine travelling the roads of Scotland with your friends in a caravan, or partying in a London pub. Plus, travelling with more people allows you to share transport and split the costs and always have someone available to take a photo with you.

However, travelling in a group can also present certain challenges, such as disagreements in the choice of activities due to different interests. For this, the Passporter app is the perfect solution, allowing you to plan and organise your trip to England as a group, ensuring that every friend is involved in the process and turning the platform into a shared memory album thanks to the ability to upload photos.

In this post you can read more about travelling with friends and how to face the challenges: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to England

• The currency in the UK is the pound sterling (£).
• It is advisable to carry some cash, although most shops accept card payments.
• The UK uses plug type G, with a voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. Be sure to bring an adapter if your devices have different specifications.
• If you are travelling from the European Union, you will need a passport to enter the country; a national ID card is no longer sufficient.
• The official language is English.
• Water in the UK is safe to drink, so you can refill your water bottle to reduce plastic use.
• England is a relatively safe country, but as in any big city, it’s wise to keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places.
• Book flights and accommodation in advance to get better prices, especially during peak tourist season.
• Find out about events or festivals during your visit.
• Remember that in the UK you drive on the left, unlike in the rest of Europe.
• Be prepared for the UK’s changeable weather by always carrying an umbrella or mackintosh, even on sunny days.
• Using apps such as Passporter to plan your trip to the UK is free and helps you draw inspiration from other travellers, as well as organising your itinerary efficiently.
• Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to England?

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums.
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents.
• Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to England.

If you have doubts about how to create your itinerary, you can consult our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to England